New Voting Dates
By Denise Dunbar
Get ready to change gears. Georgia’s primary election date has been moved from a summer date to a spring one. Mark your calendars; the Primary Election date for this year is May 20th.
The change was not something Georgia legislators wanted. Last year, a federal judge shook up the state’s election calendar when he ordered the changes. This was to make sure that absentee ballots can be sent out at least 45 days prior to any primary and general run-off elections.
2014 is the first year for the new schedule, but it’ll mostly affect the primary races, which is very important. Primary elections decide which candidates will represent a political party for the final November Election. With that said, here’s a chart with this year’s election events.
Election Voter Registration Deadline The Election Date
Special Election
To fill vacancies Feb. 18, 2014 March 18, 2014
Special Election
Runoffs Feb. 18, 2014 April 15, 2014
Primary
Election April 21, 2014 May 20, 2014
Primary
Runoffs April 21, 2014 July 22, 2014
General
Election October 6, 2014 November 4, 2014
State and Local
Runoffs October 6, 2014 December 2, 2014
Federal
Runoffs October 6, 2014 January 6, 2015
Where Do I Vote
By Denise Dunbar
Voting can be exciting! But that feeling can quickly turn into frustration if you realize you’ve stood in a long line and waited hours just to find out, you’re in the wrong polling place. RULE- You can vote ONLY at your designated polling place. Unfortunately, we’ve heard of cases where election officials changed polling places without much or no notice.
If for some reason you do end up at the wrong polling place and you don’t’ have time to get to your correct one, then ask for a provisional ballot. RULE- If you vote on a provisional ballot, your vote will only be counted if you go the your county elections office within 48 hours after voting and show your valid identification.
To make sure you’re headed to the right location, always check with the Secretary of state’s office. You can check by clicking the link below.
Advanced/Early Voting (4/28-5/16)
By Denise Dunbar
I love the idea of early voting! Get in, get out, and its done. Any registered voter can take advantage of the early voting process without giving a reason. The tricky part is finding the right place to cast your early ballot, because details can change. Dates can change too. If the demand is high, counties may add additional locations and dates as well as extended times to make it easier. The key is to check!
The early voting period for the upcoming primary is between April 28 and May 16th. Find out the exact times and locations for your county by clicking the link below.
http://sos.ga.gov/elections/CountyContacts/AdvanceVotingDisplay.aspx
Voter Registration Information
By Denise Dunbar
The deadline to register to vote for an election is always the fifth Monday before that election. For the upcoming primary, the last day is April 21, 2014.
To register in Georgia, you must meet the following requirements.
- Be a US citizen
- Be a resident in Georgia and in the county which you wish to vote
- Be at least 171/2 years of age. (Be 18 at the time you vote)
- Not currently serving any sentence imposed by conviction of a felony.
Voting rights will be restored after you finish the term of incarceration, parole and probation.
- Be of sound mind
Dealing with Problems At The Polls?
By Denise Dunbar
On Election Day, all polling locations must remain open from 7 am until 7 pm. If you are in line before the polls close at 7 pm, you must be allowed to vote. (Some places may decide to stay open longer.)
If the voting machines are not working, you should ask for a back-up paper ballot.
If you forget your Voter ID, you should ask for a provisional ballot. RULE- If you vote on a provisional ballot, your vote will only be counted if you go to your county elections office within 48 hours after voting and show your valid identification. To check on Provisional ballot status, voters may call 1-866- 677- 5328.
If you end up at the wrong polling place, you should be allowed to vote on a provisional ballot.
If they cannot find your name of the rolls, ask for a provisional ballot.
Remember, provisional ballots are a last resort, because they will only be counted if you take your Voter ID to the county election’s office and verify your voting status.
If you’ve moved, you have to notify your new county elections office or fill out a new registration form. If you don’t notify the new county of your new address, you can still vote in your old polling place.
If you need assistance reading the ballot, you may take a person of your choice into the voting booth.
RULE- In Georgia, a voter can choose anyone to serve as his or her assistant with the exception of the voter’s employer, agent of the employer, or a union representative.
If you’re physically disabled, each polling place should be accessible to disabled voters.
Voters older than 75 do not have to wait in line. On Election Day, between the hours of 9:30 and 4:30, all voters 75 and up will be allowed to vote immediately.
If you have any trouble, contact the Legal Command Center for Election Protection at
1-866- OUR-VOTE
No Voter ID, No problem!
By Denise Dunbar
I get it. Having to show the correct Voter ID at the polls is a bit extra, but sometimes I think people overdramatize the Voter ID requirement. First of all, the state of Georgia offers a FREE Voter Identification Card. You can pick it up at any county registrar’s office or the Department of Driver Services Office. Just be sure to take documentation showing your date of birth, evidence that you are a registered voter, proof of your address and a photo-identity document.
If for some reason, you can’t make it the offices mentioned above, then write your county elections office and ask for an absentee ballot by mail. You won’t need to give a reason. And get this, if you vote by mail
using an absentee ballot, NO voter ID is required.
Chances are you probably have an photo ID that is acceptable at the polls. Here’s a list of what’s accepted.
- Any state or federal government issued photo ID, including the FREE Voter IDs.
- A current or expired Georgia Driver’s License
- Valid employee photo ID if you work for the US government, this state, any county, any municipal government entity, a board or authority.
- Valid US passport
- Valid US military photo ID
- Valid Tribal photo ID
- Student ID if issued by a public college or university in Georgia
Need Voting Info? There’s an app for that!
By Denise Dunbar
Technology is a beautiful thing. The Secretary of state’s office has a voter app for mobile devices, and it has a lot of cool features. For instance, you can electronically submit your voter registration if you have a Georgia driver’s license. You can also find your polling location and get directions with maps. You can see sample ballots, keep up with early voting locations, check the status of an absentee ballot and more. It’s all just a swipe away. Go to the Apple and Android app stores and search for “GA Votes”.
Check out the screenshots:
Candidate Info: Just Who Is Running For What?!!
By Denise Dunbar
This is not a Presidential Election year, but it is still a very important election year for Georgia.
We’ll vote in several critical races including Governor, a US Senator, Secretary of State, 14 Congressional District seats, all 56 State Senators and all 180 State Representatives. The winners of these local and state races are the guys who’ll decide issues that affect us immediately. They’ll decide how our schools are funded, job creation, Medicaid expansion, gun control, the Stand your Ground Law and other issues.
Do your homework. Find out who is running in each race by clicking the link below.
http://www.politics1.com/ga.htm
Voting Day Readiness
By Denise Dunbar
Success is when preparation meets opportunity, right? So let’s pull off a successful day at the polls by getting ready. Here’s the checklist.
First, bring the right Voter ID with you to the polls. If you forget your voter ID, you can still vote, but you’ll be given a provisional ballot. If possible, try to go home and get an ID to cast a regular ballot. Provisional ballots have a catch. You’ll have 48 hours after the election to go to your county elections office and show your proper ID in order for your vote to count. To check on Provisional ballot status, voters may call 1-866- 677- 5328.
Second, wear appropriate clothing. Comfortable shoes are a must. And remember, no candidate shirts or any other propaganda will be allowed inside a polling location. RULE- Campaigning is not allowed within 150 feet of the building in which the polling place is located or within 25 feet of any voter standing in line at a polling place.
Third, be prepared for problems. If you’re a registered voter, you should be allowed to vote. If for some reason your name does not show up on the list of registered voters for that precinct, ask for a provisional ballot.
Take the Election Protection Hotline number with you. Put it in your contact list. That number is 1-866-OUR-VOTE. They’ll have counselors on standby. If available, an attorney will be sent to the precinct.
Got Questions?
By Denise Dunbar
If you have questions that apply to your unique situation, it’s a good idea to contact your county elections office to get your answers before Election Day. Below are contact numbers. If your county is not included, don’t forget you can Google it and get the number.
Secretary of State’s Elections Division | 404-656-2871 |
Fulton County Elections | 404-730-7020 |
DeKalb County Elections | 404- 298-4020 |
Clayton County Elections | 770-477-3372 |
Cobb County Elections | 770-528-2581 |
Gwinnett County Elections | 770-822-8787 |